Flexible fastener strip assembly and methods of assembling the same

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a flexible fastener strip assembly include two or more straight hook fastener elements and an elongated connecting member for joining the hook fastener elements in an end-to-end relationship. Each hook fastener element includes a plurality of hooks and defines at least one elongated hole that extends through an upper and a lower surface of the hook fastener element. The elongated connecting member includes a spine and two or more protrusions that extend from one side of the spine in a width plane, and a width dimension of the spine in the width plane is greater than a thickness dimension of the spine in a thickness plane. Each protrusion is engaged into one of the elongated holes of the hook fastener elements such that the spine is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the hook fastener elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hook and loop fastening structures may be used in various applicationsto secure objects adjacent each other. For example, hook fasteningstrips may be molded onto a surface of a foam bun of an automobile seat,and loop material may be provided on an inner surface of an automobileseat covering to engage the hook fastening strips and secure the seatcovering to the foam bun. Flexible hook fastening strips may be utilizedadjacent portions of the foam bun having contours, and straight hookfastening strips may be utilized on straight portions of the foam bun,such as longitudinally down the center of the bun.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mold 10 for forming the foam bunof a particular automobile seat. The mold 10 includes trenches 12, 13for receiving the hook fastening strips 21, 22, respectively, prior toinjection of the foam for forming the foam bun. An operator disposes astraight hook fastening strip 22 within a straight trench 13 andflexible hook fastening strips 21 within curved trenches 12. To hold thehook fastening strips 21, 22 in the trenches 12, 13 and to align eachstrip 21, 22 properly within each trench 12, 13, the trenches 12, 13 mayinclude a magnetic surface and the hook fastening strips 21, 22 mayinclude a monofilament having magnetic properties (e.g., carbon steel oriron) formed within the fastening strips 21, 22.

Prior art flexible hook fastener strip such as the fastener strips 21shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D are die cut into the shape of the trench 12,which limits the fastener strips to use only with trenches having thatparticular shape. In addition, a covering 23 is disposed over the hooksto prevent foam from seeping between the hooks. However, an operator hasto remove this covering 23 from a base 24 on which the hooks aredisposed after removing the formed foam bun from the mold 10, whichresults in an extra manufacturing step for the operator and wastedmaterial for the manufacturer. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D,the known fastener strips 21 are flimsy, making them difficult for theoperator to manipulate when disposing them within the trenches 12.

Straight fastener strips 22, such as those disclosed in U.S. PublishedPatent Application Number 2007/0240289 and shown in FIG. 3, provide asufficient level of stiffness in a plane perpendicular to an uppersurface of the fastener strips 22, but these fastener strips 22 lackflexibility in a plane containing the upper surface of the fastenerstrips 22.

Thus, a need in the art exists for an improved flexible fastener stripthat provides a balance of flexibility and stiffness for easiermaneuverability by an operator and increased efficiency in themanufacturing process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention provide an elongated, flexiblefastener strip assembly comprising two or more hook fastener elementsand an elongated connecting member. Each of the hook fastener elementshas: (1) an elongated base having an upper surface, a lower surfaceopposite the upper surface, a first end, a second end opposite the firstend, and a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and thesecond end; and (2) a plurality of hooks that extend upwardly from theupper surface. Each of the hook fastener elements defines at least oneelongated hole that extends through the upper and lower surfaces.

The elongated connecting member comprises a spine and at least twoprotrusions. The spine has a width dimension in a width plane and athickness dimension in a thickness plane, and the width dimension islarger than the thickness dimension. The protrusions extend from a firstside of the spine in the width plane. The first protrusion is adaptedfor securely engaging the at least one elongated hole of a first hookfastener element, and the second protrusion is adapted for securelyengaging the at least one elongated hole of a second hook fastenerelement such that the first end of the first hook fastener element isdisposed adjacent the first end of the second hook fastener element, thespine is disposed adjacent the lower surfaces of the hook fastenerelements, and the width plane is substantially perpendicular to thelower surface of the hook fastener elements. The elongated fastenerstrip assembly according to this embodiment exhibits flexibility in thethickness plane of the elongated connecting member and stiffness in thewidth plane of the elongated connecting member.

In a further embodiment, the first hook fastener element further definesa first elongated slit that extends along the longitudinal axis of thefirst hook fastener element from the first end to a point adjacent anelongated hole adjacent the first end. In addition, the second hookfastener element further defines a second elongated slit that extendsalong the longitudinal axis of the second hook fastener element from thefirst end to a point adjacent an elongated hole adjacent the first end.Furthermore, the elongated connecting member further comprises astabilizing member disposed intermediate the first protrusion and thesecond protrusion. The stabilizing member extends from the first side ofthe spine in the width plane and has a thickness substantially equal tothe spine and the first and second protrusions. The stabilizing memberis adapted for engaging the first elongated slit and the secondelongated slit when the first hook fastener element is secured in anend-to-end relationship with the second hook fastener element.

In a further embodiment, the elongated flexible fastener strip assemblycomprises a third hook fastener element, and the elongated connectingmember comprises a third and fourth protrusion extending from the firstside of the spine. The third and fourth protrusions are adapted forengaging the elongated hole defined in the third hook fastener elementand a second elongated hole defined in the second hook fastener elementsuch that the second ends of the third hook fastener element and thesecond hook fastener element are disposed adjacent each other in anend-to-end relationship.

In an alternative embodiment, an elongated, flexible fastener stripassembly comprises a straight hook fastener element and an elongatedconnecting member. The straight hook fastener element comprises anelongated base having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite theupper surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and alongitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end.The straight hook fastener element also includes a plurality of hooksextending upwardly from the upper surface and at least one narrowportion that extends between two wide portions of the base. The wideportions are able to bend relative to each other through the narrowportion, and each of the wide portions of the hook fastener elementfurther defines at least one elongated hole extending through the upperand lower surfaces. The elongated connecting member comprises a spineand at least two protrusions. The spine has a width dimension in a widthplane and a thickness dimension in a thickness plane, wherein the widthdimension is larger than the thickness dimension, and the at least twoprotrusions extend from a first side of the spine in the width plane.The first protrusion is adapted for securely engaging the at least oneelongated hole of a first wide portion of the hook fastener element andthe second protrusion is adapted for securely engaging the at least oneelongated hole of a second wide portion of the hook fastener elementsuch that the spine is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the hookfastener element, and the width plane is substantially perpendicular tothe lower surface of the hook fastener element. The elongated fastenerstrip assembly exhibits flexibility in the thickness plane of theelongated connecting member and stiffness in the width plane of theelongated connecting member.

Various other embodiments of the invention provide a method ofassembling a plurality of hook fastener elements in an end-to-endrelationship with a connecting member. The method includes the steps of:(1) providing two or more hook fastener elements that each have: (a) anelongated base having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite theupper surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and alongitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;and (b) a plurality of hooks extending upwardly from the upper surface,wherein each of the hook fastener elements defines at least oneelongated hole extending through the upper and lower surfaces; (2)providing an elongated connecting member comprising a spine and at leasttwo protrusions, the spine having a width dimension in a width plane anda thickness dimension in a thickness plane, the width dimension beinglarger than the thickness dimension, and the protrusions extending froma first side of the spine in the width plane; (3) securely engaging thefirst protrusion in the at least one elongated hole of a first hookfastener element; and (4) securely engaging the second protrusion in theat least one elongated hole of a second hook fastener element. Bysecurely engaging the first protrusion in the elongated hole of thefirst hook fastener element and engaging the second protrusion in theelongated hole of the second hook fastener element, the first end of thefirst hook fastener element is disposed adjacent the first end of thesecond hook fastener element, the spine is disposed adjacent the lowersurfaces of the hook fastener elements, and the width plane of theelongated connecting member is substantially perpendicular to the lowersurface of the hook fastener elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a mold for forming a foam bun.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a known flexible fastener strip.

FIG. 2C and 2D illustrate stiffness and flexibility qualities of theflexible fastener strip shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a known straight fastener strip.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a lower surface of two hook fastenerelements according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate side views of an elongated connecting memberfor engaging with the hook fastener elements shown in FIG. 4 accordingto various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom plan view of the elongated connecting membershown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an assembly of theelongated connecting member shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the hookfastener elements shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lower perspective view of the assembly shown inFIG. 7 disposed on a magnetic surface of a trench.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of an elongated connecting memberaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a lower surface of two hook fastenerelements according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the elongatedconnecting member in FIG. 11 assembled with the hook fastener elementsin FIG. 12 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a lower perspective view of the assembly shown inFIG. 13 disposed on a magnetic surface of a trench.

FIG. 15 illustrates an upper plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 13formed on the surface of a foam bun according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a die-cutting roller for forming an elongatedconnecting member according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a lower plan view of a straight hook fastenerelement according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention are described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures.Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements.

Brief Summary

Various embodiments of the invention provide an elongated flexiblefastener strip assembly that includes two or more hook fastener elementsand an elongated connecting member for joining the hook fastenerelements in an end-to-end relationship. In particular, in variousembodiments, the elongated flexible fastener strip assembly includes twoor more hook fastener elements and an elongated connecting member. Eachof the two or more hook fastener elements include a plurality of hooksthat extend upwardly from an upper surface of the hook fastener elementsand define at least one elongated hole extending through the uppersurface and a lower surface of the hook fastener element. The elongatedconnecting member includes a spine and two or more protrusions extendingfrom one side of the spine in a width plane, and a width dimension ofthe elongated connecting member in the width plane is greater than athickness dimension of the elongated connecting member in a thicknessplane that is perpendicular to the width plane. The protrusions areadapted for engaging each of the elongated holes of the hook fastenerelements. When the protrusions are engaged with the holes of the hookfastener elements, the spine is disposed along the lower surface of thehook fastener elements. The assembly according to various embodimentsexhibits an improved level of stiffness and flexibility in the thicknessplane of the elongated connecting member, which is parallel to the upperand lower surfaces of each hook fastener element, and in the width planeof the elongated connecting member. More detailed descriptions ofvarious embodiments of the hook fastener elements and the elongatedconnecting member of the elongated flexible fastener strip assembly areprovided below.

Structure and Methods of Manufacturing a Hook Fastener Element

FIGS. 4, 8, and 10 illustrate a hook fastener element 31 according toone embodiment of the invention. In particular, the hook fastenerelement 31 has an elongated base 32 that has an upper surface 33 and alower surface 34 opposite the upper surface 33. The hook fastenerelement 31 also includes a first end 35 and a second end 36, and alongitudinal axis 37 extends between the first end 35 and the second end36. A plurality of longitudinal side walls 39 a, 39 b extend upwardlyfrom the upper surface 33 of the hook fastener element 31 and aredisposed adjacent each longitudinal edge 40 a, 40 b, respectively, ofthe upper surface 33. A plurality of hooks 38 adapted for engaging loopmaterial extend upwardly from the upper surface 33 of the hook fastenerelement 31 and are disposed between the longitudinal side walls 39 a, 39b. The height of the longitudinal walls 39 a, 39 b is substantiallyequal to a height of the plurality of hooks 38 to prevent foam fromseeping between the hooks 38 during the molding process. In addition,the hook fastener element 31 defines at least one elongated hole 41 thatextends through the upper surface 33 and the lower surface 34 and isdisposed adjacent the first end 35 of the hook fastener element 31 alonglongitudinal axis 37.

In a further embodiment, a width of an end portion 44 of at least thefirst end 35 of each hook fastener element 31 begins to decrease alongthe longitudinal axis 37 toward the first end 35, forming anarrow-shape. This arrangement allows for the ends of two adjacent hookfastener elements 31 assembled in an end-to-end relationship to move atan angle to each other in a width plane of the hook fastener elements31.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the hook fastener element 31also defines at least one elongated slit 42 that extends along thelongitudinal axis 37 from the first end 35 to a point adjacent theelongated hole 41 adjacent the first end 35.

In another embodiment in which the hook fastener element 31 is to bejoined between two other hook fastener elements 31 in an end-to-endrelationship, the hook fastener element 31 further defines a secondelongated hole 41 adjacent the second end 36 of the hook fastenerelement 31. In addition, the hook fastener element 31 may further definea second elongated slit 42 that extends along the longitudinal axis 37from the second end 36 to a point adjacent the elongated hole 41adjacent the second end 36.

According to various embodiments, the hook fastener element 31 is formedof a plastic material (e.g., polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters, orpolybutylene terephthalate (PBT)), and the base 32, hooks 38, andlongitudinal side walls 39 a, 39 b are integrally formed during amolding process. In a particular embodiment, the strip 31 furtherincludes a monofilament (e.g., iron monofilament) extendinglongitudinally through the base 32 that has magnetic properties. Thismonofilament attracts, aligns, and holds the hook fastener element 31adjacent a magnetic trench, such as the magnetic trench 12 describedabove in relation to FIG. 1.

According to a particular embodiment, the hook fastener elements 31 aremanufactured from straight hook fastener elements such as the straighthook fastener elements described in U.S. Published Patent ApplicationNumber 2007/0240289, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. In particular, straight hook fastener elements are die-cutinto smaller straight hook fastener elements 31, and the process furtherincludes cutting the elongated holes 41 and the ends 35, 36 of the hookfastener elements 31 into the arrow-shape described above. In otheralternative embodiments, the cutting may be done using a laser cuttingdevice or by grinding.

The length of the hook fastener elements, the location of the elongatedholes relative to the ends of the hook fastener elements, and whether anelongated slit 42 is provided adjacent the ends of the hook fastenerelements may be a function of the radius of the contour for which theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly will be used. For example,the length of the hook fastener elements 31 in the above describedembodiments is longer than the length of the hook fastener elements 71described below in relation to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-15because the hook fastener elements 71 are to be used in a contour havinga greater radius. In particular, the hook fastener elements 71 shown inFIGS. 11-15 are used in a 90° contour. In addition, the elongated holes41 of the hook fastener elements 31 described above are disposedadjacent each end of the hook fastener elements 31, but the elongatedholes 91 of the hook fastener elements 71 shown in FIGS. 11-15 aredisposed adjacent a center of each hook fastener element 71.Furthermore, because the hook fastener elements 71 shown in FIGS. 11-15are to occupy a contour having a greater radius than the hook fastenerelements 31 shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 10, the hook fastener elements 71do not define an elongated slit.

FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a straight hookfastener element 95 that includes an elongated base 94 having an uppersurface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first end, asecond end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis 93 extendingbetween the first end and the second end. The straight hook fastenerelement 95 also includes a plurality of hooks extending upwardly fromthe upper surface and at least one narrow portion 96 that extendsbetween two wide portions 97 of the base. The wide portions 97 are ableto bend relative to each other through the narrow portion 96, and eachof the wide portions 97 of the hook fastener element 95 further definesat least one elongated hole 98 extending through the upper and lowersurfaces. In a further embodiment, an elongated slit 99 extends alongthe longitudinal axis 93 between the elongated holes 98 of adjacent wideportions 97 through the narrow portion 96 between the two wide portions97.

Structure and Methods of Manufacturing an Elongated Connecting Member

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 illustrate an elongated connecting member 50according to one embodiment of the invention. In particular, theelongated connecting member 50 includes a spine 51 having a width W in awidth plane and a thickness T in a thickness plane, wherein the width Wis larger than the thickness T. According to various embodiments, thethickness T may be between about 0.01″ and about 0.05″, and the width Wmay be between about 0.04″ and about 0.25″. For example, in a particularembodiment, the elongated connecting member 50 is formed of a polyestermaterial, and the thickness T is about 0.022″ and the width W is about0.078″. The elongated connecting member 50 further includes at least twoprotrusions 52 that extend in the width plane from one side of the spine51, and the protrusions 52 have a thickness that is substantially equalto the thickness of the spine 51. The protrusions 52 are spaced along alength of the elongated connecting member 50. According to oneembodiment, each protrusion 52 includes a head 53 and a neck 54intermediate the head 53 and the spine 51. The head 53 has an engagingportion 55 that has a length L_(e) greater than a length L_(n) of theneck 54 and a length of the distal end 56 of the head 53.

In a particular embodiment, the elongated connecting member 50 furtherincludes a stabilizing member 57 that extends in the width plane fromthe same side of the spine 51 as the protrusions 52 and is disposedintermediate the protrusions 52. The stabilizing member 57 has athickness and width substantially equal to the thickness and width,respectively, of the two protrusions 52. In the embodiment shown in FIG.6, the stabilizing member 57, the two protrusions 52, and the spine 51have a rectangular cross-section as taken through the thickness plane.

According to various embodiments, the elongated connecting member 50 isformed of a plastic material (e.g., polyester, PVC, HDPE, or nylon), andthe spine 51, protrusions 52, and stabilizing member 57 are integrallyformed. In a particular embodiment, the spine 51, protrusions 52, andstabilizing member 55 are formed by die-cutting an extruded piece ofplastic material using a roller assembly, such as the roller assembly100 shown in FIG. 16. In an alternative embodiment, the elongatedconnecting member may be formed from a magnetic material (e.g., carbonsteel or iron). This magnetic elongated connecting member may be used inone embodiment of the elongated, flexible fastener strip assembly inwhich the hook fastener elements do not include a magnetic monofilament.The magnetic properties of the elongated connecting member 50 wouldcause the elongated flexible fastener strip assembly to be attracted toand align along the contour of the magnetic trench and would keep theassembly adjacent the magnetic trench.

According to one embodiment, the length of the elongated connectingmember may depend on the number of hook fastener elements to be includedin the elongated flexible fastener strip assembly and the end use of theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly. For example, the elongatedconnecting member may be cut to a length substantially equal to thetotal length of the hook fastener elements to be included in theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly, which is partially shown inFIG. 10. Alternatively, the elongated connecting member may be cut to alength that is sufficient to span at least two hook fastener elements.

Methods of Assembly

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a flexible fastener strip assembly 30 according toone embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates the elongatedconnecting member 50 described above in relation to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6being inserted into the ends 35 of two adjacent hook fastener elements31. Two adjacent hook fastener elements 31 are joined together in anend-to-end relationship by engaging the projections 52 and thestabilizing member 57 of the elongated connecting member 50 into theelongated holes 41 and elongated slits 42, respectively, of each hookfastener element 31. In particular, according to one embodiment, whenthe protrusions 52 are engaged into the elongated holes 41 of each hookfastener element 31, the engaging portion 55 of each head 53 of eachprotrusion 52 is disposed adjacent the upper surface 33 of the hookfastener element 31, the neck 54 is disposed between the upper surface33 and the lower surface 34 of the hook fastener element 31, and thespine 51 is disposed adjacent the lower surface 34 of the hook fastenerelement 31. In one embodiment in which the distal end 56 of the head 53has a length that is less than the length of the elongated hole 41, thedistal end 56 can pass through the elongated hole 41 easily. Inaddition, in a further embodiment in which the length of the engagingportion 55 is slightly greater than the length of the elongated hole 41,the elongated hole 41 is elastically deformed as the engaging portion 55is pushed through the hole 41 and then returns to its original length,preventing the engaging portion 55 from passing back through the hole41.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the elongated connectingmember may be glued to the lower surfaces of the hook fastener elementsto prevent separation of the hook fastener elements and the elongatedconnecting member. In one such embodiment, the protrusions do notinclude an engaging portion for engaging the upper surface of the hookfastener elements.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate another embodiment of an elongated, flexiblefastener strip assembly 80 that includes an elongated connecting member60 and a plurality of hook fastener elements 71 secured in an end-to-endrelationship by the elongated connecting member 60. In this embodiment,the hook fastener elements 71 are shorter in length than the hookfastener elements 31 described above and do not include elongated slits42, and the elongated connecting member 60 does not include astabilizing member 57. Instead, the elongated connecting member 60comprises a spine 61 and at least two protrusions 62 for engaging eachof at least two elongated holes 91 defined through each hook fastenerelement 71. For example, if four hook fastener elements 71 are to bejoined together in an end-to-end relationship, the elongated connectingmember 60 may include eight protrusions 62. In addition, according toone embodiment, the elongated holes 91 are disposed along thelongitudinal axis of the hook fastener elements 71 adjacent the centerof each hook fastener element 71.

According to various embodiments, the flexible fastener strip assemblies30, 80 described above are sufficiently flexible in the thickness planeof the elongated connecting members 50, 60 to be used along a curvedcontour, such as discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-2D, and theassemblies 30, 80 exhibit sufficient stiffness in the width plane of theelongated connecting members 50, 60 to provide easier maneuverabilityfor an operator installing the elongated flexible fastener stripassemblies 30, 80. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the hookfastener elements are cut from longer straight hook fastener elements,the operators can quickly and easily make custom-sized elongated,flexible fastener strips assemblies.

CONCLUSION

Although this invention has been described in specific detail withreference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that manyvariations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described in the appended claims.

1. An elongated, flexible fastener strip assembly comprising: two ormore hook fastener elements, each of said hook fastener elements having:an elongated base having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite saidupper surface, a first end, and a second end opposite said first end,wherein a longitudinal axis extends between said first end and saidsecond end; and a plurality of hooks extending upwardly from said uppersurface, wherein each of said hook fastener elements defines at leastone elongated hole extending through said upper and lower surfaces; andan elongated connecting member comprising a spine and at least twoprotrusions, said spine having a width dimension in a width plane and athickness dimension in a thickness plane, said width dimension beinglarger than said thickness dimension, and said at least two protrusionsextending from a first side of said spine in said width plane, wherein:said first protrusion is adapted for securely engaging said at least oneelongated hole of a first hook fastener element and said secondprotrusion is adapted for securely engaging said at least one elongatedhole of a second hook fastener element such that said first end of saidfirst hook fastener element is disposed adjacent said first end of saidsecond hook fastener element, said spine is disposed adjacent said lowersurfaces of said hook fastener elements, and said width plane issubstantially perpendicular to said lower surface of said hook fastenerelements, and said elongated fastener strip assembly exhibitsflexibility in said thickness plane of said elongated connecting memberand stiffness in said width plane of said elongated connecting member.2. The elongated flexible fastener strip assembly of claim 1 whereineach of said protrusions has a head and a neck intermediate said headand said spine, said head having an engaging portion having a lengthgreater than a length of said neck, said engaging portion of said headbeing disposed adjacent said upper surface of said hook fastener elementand said neck being disposed between said lower surface and said uppersurface when said protrusion is engaged in said elongated hole of saidhook fastener element.
 3. The elongated flexible fastener strip assemblyof claim 2 wherein said head has a distal end opposite said engagingportion, said distal end having a length that is less than a length ofsaid elongated hole of said hook fastener element and said engagingportion having a length that is greater than said length of saidelongated hole.
 4. The elongated flexible fastener strip assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one elongated hole is disposed adjacentsaid first end of each of said hook fastener elements.
 5. The elongatedflexible fastener strip assembly of claim 4 wherein: said first hookfastener element further defines a first elongated slit, said firstelongated slit extending along said longitudinal axis of said first hookfastener element from said first end to a point adjacent said elongatedhole adjacent said first end, said second hook fastener element furtherdefines a second elongated slit, said second elongated slit extendingalong said longitudinal axis of said second hook fastener element fromsaid first end to a point adjacent said elongated hole adjacent saidfirst end, said elongated connecting member further comprises astabilizing member disposed intermediate said first protrusion and saidsecond protrusion, said stabilizing member extending from said firstside of said spine in said width plane and having a thicknesssubstantially equal to said spine and said first and second protrusions,and said stabilizing member is adapted for engaging said first elongatedslit and said second elongated slit when said first hook fastenerelement is secured in an end-to-end relationship with said second hookfastener element.
 6. The elongated flexible fastener strip assembly ofclaim 5 wherein said first and second protrusions, said spine, and saidstabilizing member have a rectangular shaped cross section as takenthrough the thickness plane of said elongated connecting member.
 7. Theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly of claim 4 wherein saidplurality of hook fastener elements comprises a third hook fastenerelement, and said plurality of protrusions extending from said firstside of said elongated connecting member comprises a third protrusionand a fourth protrusion, said third protrusion adapted for securelyengaging an elongated hole disposed adjacent said second end of saidsecond hook fastener element and said fourth protrusion adapted forsecurely engaging an elongated hole disposed adjacent a second end ofsaid third hook fastener element such that said second end of saidsecond hook fastener element is disposed adjacent said second end ofsaid third hook fastener element.
 8. The elongated flexible fastenerstrip assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second protrusions andsaid spine have a rectangular shaped cross section as taken through thethickness plane of said elongated connecting member.
 9. The elongatedflexible fastener strip assembly of claim 1 wherein an end portion of atleast one of said ends of each of said hook fastener elements forms anarrow shape as viewed from the upper or lower surface of said hookfastener element.
 10. The elongated flexible fastener strip assembly ofclaim 1 wherein each of said hook fastener elements further comprise atleast two longitudinal side walls extending upwardly from said uppersurface and being disposed adjacent each longitudinal edge of said uppersurface, said longitudinal side walls having a height substantiallyequal to a height of said plurality of hooks.
 11. The elongated flexiblefastener strip assembly of claim 10 wherein said base, said hooks, andsaid side walls of each of said hook fastener elements are integrallyformed.
 12. The elongated flexible fastener strip assembly of claim 11wherein said spine and said protrusions of said elongated connectingmember are integrally formed.
 13. The elongated flexible fastener stripassembly of claim 12 wherein said spine and said protrusions are die cutfrom an elongated strip.
 14. The elongated flexible fastener stripassembly of claim 1 wherein said base and said hooks of each of saidhook fastener elements are integrally formed.
 15. The elongated flexiblefastener strip assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated connectingmember is formed from a material having magnetic properties.
 16. Theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly of claim 1 wherein saidelongated connecting member is formed from a plastic material.
 17. Theelongated flexible fastener strip assembly of claim 16 wherein each ofsaid hook fastener elements comprises a monofilament formed thereinhaving magnetic properties.
 18. A method of assembling a plurality ofhook fastener elements in an end-to-end relationship with a connectingmember, said method comprising: providing two or more hook fastenerelements, each of said hook fastener elements having: an elongated basehaving an upper surface, a lower surface opposite said upper surface, afirst end, and a second end opposite said first end, wherein alongitudinal axis extends between said first end and said second end;and a plurality of hooks extending upwardly from said upper surface,wherein each of said hook fastener elements defines at least oneelongated hole extending through said upper and lower surfaces;providing an elongated connecting member comprising a spine and at leasttwo protrusions, said spine having a width dimension in a width planeand a thickness dimension in a thickness plane, said width dimensionbeing larger than said thickness dimension, said protrusions extendingfrom a first side of said spine in said width plane; securely engagingsaid first protrusion in said at least one elongated hole of a firsthook fastener element; and securely engaging said second protrusion insaid at least one elongated hole of a second hook fastener element,wherein said first end of said first hook fastener element is disposedadjacent said first end of said second hook fastener element, said spineis disposed adjacent said lower surfaces of said hook fastener elements,and said width plane of said elongated connecting member issubstantially perpendicular to said lower surface of said hook fastenerelements.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing twoor more hook fastener elements comprises die-cutting a straight hookfastener element into two or more separate hook fastener elements. 20.The method of claim 19 wherein the step of die-cutting said straighthook fastener element comprises die-cutting said elongated holes throughsaid upper and lower surfaces of each separate hook fastener element.21. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing said elongatedconnecting member comprises die-cutting said protrusions from anelongated strip of material having a rectangular cross section as takenthrough the thickness plane and the width plane.
 22. An elongated,flexible fastener strip assembly comprising: a straight hook fastenerelement comprising: an elongated base having an upper surface, a lowersurface opposite said upper surface, a first end, and a second endopposite said first end, wherein a longitudinal axis extends betweensaid first end and said second end; a plurality of hooks extendingupwardly from said upper surface; and at least one narrow portionextending between two wide portions of said base, wherein said wideportions are able to bend relative to each other through said narrowportion, wherein each of said wide portions of said hook fastenerelement further defines at least one elongated hole extending throughsaid upper and lower surfaces; and an elongated connecting membercomprising a spine and at least two protrusions, said spine having awidth dimension in a width plane and a thickness dimension in athickness plane, said width dimension being larger than said thicknessdimension, and said at least two protrusions extending from a first sideof said spine in said width plane, wherein: said first protrusion isadapted for securely engaging said at least one elongated hole of afirst wide portion of said hook fastener element and said secondprotrusion is adapted for securely engaging said at least one elongatedhole of a second wide portion of said hook fastener element such thatsaid spine is disposed adjacent said lower surface of said hook fastenerelement, and said width plane is substantially perpendicular to saidlower surface of said hook fastener element, and said elongated fastenerstrip assembly exhibits flexibility in said thickness plane of saidelongated connecting member and stiffness in said width plane of saidelongated connecting member.